Advertising exhibitor



Filed.April 11. 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l In venian.y

llomeys 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fi led April ll 1932 z o Z @o 7 6 new o 6 M6 0O 9 M n Z 0U/ Z7 f` ,w1/x @s rnrrnm Jl/m/ /1 .1/9 a 7 .J N 4Z ZZ@D11/enfers VMM. Zz/Lw Sept. 18, 1934. w. D. HAWK AL 1,973,982-

ADVERTISING EXHIBITOR Filed April 1l, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 MAMMUTInventors fil/army.;

Patented Sept. 18, 1934 1,973,982 PATENT oFFlc UNITED STATES Hawk-Applicatio April 11, 193-2, Serial No. 604,388i

2 claims. (oi. io- 42) ur invention relatesv to advertising exhibitorsthat has particular reference to a device for displaying changeableadvertising upon a moving Vehicle such as a taxicab. It is well known inthe art of advertising that one of the most eective forms ofadvertisingis that of producing a changeable exhibition in view ofpersons who may view the same, particularly in places where theattention of the person is not distracted by other sights or sounds.

The object of our invention, therefore, is to provide a changeableexhibitor which may be readily placed on a vehicle in View of thepersons who may be riding in the vehicle, and to present diierentadvertisements as the vehicle progresses.

Another objectV of our invention is to provide an advertising exhibitor,particularly adapted for taxicabs, the movement oi the taxicab beingemployed for the purpose of changing the exhibition of advertisements.

A furthe-r object of our invention is to provide a simple compactprojector which may be employed for projecting a series of differentadvertisements, the motor power for which may be driven from the driveof the taxicab.

A still further object of our invention is to provide an exhibitor asset forth in the preceding paragraph in which a novel means for takingpower from the taxi mete-r drive may be employed to drive theexhibit-or. p y

Other objects of our invention will be apparent from a study of thefollowing specications, read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein Figure 1 is an elevation View of the interior of ataxicab, illustrating our exhibitor associated with the taxi meter;

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the exhibitor taken along theline II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line III-III ofFigure 2; l

Figure 4 is a detailed sectional View of a power take off device whichmay be employed in connection with our exhibitor;

Figure 5 is a detailed sectional View taken along the line V--V ofFigure 4;

Figure 6 is a detailed elevation View, partly in section, of a lightcontrolling switch which may be employed in connection with ourinvention;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view showing the wiring for supplying powerto the exhibitor lamp;

Figure 8 is a detailed view of a modified form of power take `oil devicewhich may be employed with our exhibitor; and

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional View taken along the line IX-IX ofFigure 8.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates the rear wall of adrivers compartiment of a taxicab, as viewed from the position of anoccupant of the cab.l This wall is composed of a lower solid section 1immediately beneath a sill 2 upon which rests suitable glass panels 3and 4 constituting a window through which the front portion of the cabmay be viewed. The glass panel 4 which covers the righthand side of thewindow opening is usually slid back to the position shown in Figure 1,leaving the righthand section of the window open. The usual arrangementin taxicabs is that a taxi meter 5 is secured in the drivers compartmentimmediately in front of the sill 2 and below the righthand section ofthe window so that the fare registering device 6 of the meter may beviewed through a suitable opening 7 in the sill 2. The meter 5 may be ofany suitable type such as any of those in common service, and includes adrive device 8 obtaining power from the wheels of the cab andtransmitting the same to the operating device of the meter.

By referring particularly to Figures 1, 2, and 3, it will be observedthat our advertising exhibitor consists essentially of a box-likehousing 9, preferably rectangular in horizontal cross section to providea rear wall l, end walls 11 and 12, and a front wall 13. The front wall13 is provided with a pair of openings 14 and 15 formed by suitableframes 16 and 17.

` Immediately in the rear of the opening 15 is a screen 18 which may beformed of any suitable material, though we prefer to employ a plate ofground glass secured to the housing 9 by means of suitable brackets 19and 20, the screen 18 being spaced inwardly of the housing to providethe Aeiect of a dark box, permitting images projected upon thescreen tobe more clearly viewed during daylight.

The advertising 'matter to be projected upon the screen is preferablyprinted upon a transparent film 21, which may be of the charactercommonly employed in the motion picture art, a short length of whichpermits the printing of a large number of images advertising the same ordifferent products, services, etc., to be exhibited by our device. Thelm 21 is illustrated as comprising an endless belt, or strip of lmextending over and Aengaging a suitable drive sprocket 22 forming a partof an intermittent drive mechanism such as that commonly employed inmotion picture projectors and comprising an intermittent gear 23 whichmay be of the star and wheel or Genevatype or any other suitable gearingwhich will produce an intermittent rotation of the sprocket 22.

The sprocket 22 and gear 23 are illustrated as being rotatably mountedupon a frame 24 which also supports a drive shaft 25 connected to thewheel 26 of the intermittent gearing 23 and receiving power through abeveled gear 27 which is in turn driven by bevel gear 28 mounted uponand rotatable with a shaft 29.

The frame 24 also constitutes the mounting for an aperture plate pastwhich the lm 21 is moved and immediately in front of which a projectorlens system 31 is mounted. j

A lamp 32 is illustrated as being mounted within the housing 9immediately behind the frae 24 to project light through a suitable`-opening in the frame, and thence through the 21, ap'- erture plate 30and lens system 31 t'o project the images from the lm to the screen 18.If desirecl, a suitable reflector 33 may be mounted upon a bracket 34immediatelybehind the lamp 32 to assist in focusing the light 'from thelamp upon the film. The reflector 33 may be secured to ,the bracket 34by means of a screw 35 passing through a slot 36 in the bracket so thatthe re'- flector may be moved to various positions upon the bracket toproperly focus the light upon the lm.

In order to permit the considerablelength of throw of the projectorlenssystem to the screen, the lens system "is mounted so as to projectthe light substantially longitudinally 'of the housing 9 and a mirror 37may be interposed to reflect the light toward the screen 18. Preferablythe mirror 37 is mounted upon a suitable backing or base 38 which issupported by means :of Aa bracket 39 attached at one end thereof so thata space 40 is provided between the lower ledge 'of the mirror 37 and thebottom 41 ofthe housingl?.

Similarly a space 42 'is provided between the mirror and the top i3` ofthehdusin'g 9 so that the endless belt or strip-of lm 21 may pass overand under the mirror, thus adapting the projector for a vconsiderablelength of hlm 'and insure it that the film will not interfere 'with theimages projected from the lens system.

By referring particularly to Figures 1, A4, and 5, lt will be robservedthat the drive device 8 lfor the operation of the taxi meter 'consistsof a flexible tube 44 Within which hperates a flexible shaft 45, the endof the 'shaft 115` being provided :with a detachable connector 46 'toengage a shaft 47 projecting 'from the taxi meter, 'and connected withinthe meter to the `driven portions 'of the fare registering device. ,y A

We have illustrated a power take orf `'device 48, which may be employedwith the usual drive d'evice 8 for the taxi meter so that a drive "forour projector may be taken from the normal ydrive devide 8 of the meter.The power take olf device illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 comprisesafbcx-like housing 49 having a bottom plate 50, and `a top plate 51between which a. pair of 'gears 52 and 5 3 maybe journaled. The gearj5`2 "is preferably provided with a shank k54` extending downwardly`from its hun 55, the shank being foi-'meu kof suitable configurationtorengage the Ydetachabl:e conhector 46 of the flexible 'drive shaft '45so that the drive Shaftv '45 may be disconnected from its normal shaft47 and be connected to the shank 54 merely'by removing the' end vflange56 ofthe exible tube 44 from the bottom of the 'taxi meter, securing thetop plate 51 'of the power take olf l'device 48 to the bottom of themeter in place thereof, and then 'securing the flange 56 to Vthe bottomof the 'power take off device.

By the employment of this cciistruc'tomho alteration of the taxi meter,nor newer different parts are requiredfor `the meter "andthe take oif ofpower is 'accomplished ina very simple manner.

The gearV 53 'is illustrated as being secured to and rotatable with itsshaft 57, the upper e'nd 58 of the shaft being -formed of' suitablecong'uration to engage 'a `detachable"c'onhe'ctor 59iof'a short sectionof flexible drive shaft which may be housed Within a section offlexibleY tube 61 secured to the top plate 51 by means of a flange 62.The opposite end of the flexible shaft 60 is also provided with adetachable connector 63 which 'mas7 engage a suitably formed end 64 of avertical shaft 65 mounted in bearings 66 and 67 andvexteildiig'vertically through the bottom 41 of the v projector housing9, The shaft 65 is preferably connected through miter gearing 68 todrive the shaft 29 supplying power to the projector drive apparatus.

With the construction thus far described, our projector `equipped withthe lamp 32 and our projector drive mechanism and lm 2l mayl bei'nsertedupon the taxi meter already in use upon a taxcab, and may besecured in place in any suitable manner as by attaching a bracket 69between the projector housing 9 and the sill 2 `of the cab structure.The power take off device 48 may then be inserted in place upon the taximeter 5 and the flexible drive connection 6061 may be connected `to Vthepower take-off device.

Thus, as the taxicab is operated, the movement of the cabrcausesintermittent rotation of the drive sprocket 22 to successively pass thepor-- tions of the film 21 past the aperture plate 30 and lens 'system31 vto successively project the images of the film upon the screen.

In order to permit movement of the sprocket v22 to kchange the imagewithout exhibiting the film during the movement of the film, we mayemploy a cam 79 mounted upon and rotatable with the shaft 25 lto engageand 'operate a switch 71 interposed inthe circuit to the lamp 32 so thatduring the operation of the intermittent gearing 23, the lampis'extinguished, but is immediately relighted when the movementof theufilm is completed. Y

Thus, as long as the taxicab is in motion, successiveadvertisements willbe displayed upon the screen 18.

A The opening 14 in the front Wall of the housing 9 is preferably closedby means of an opaque plate 72`secured to the frame 16 by engagement inslots 73 therein, so that the plate 7-2 may be removed from the openingto permit access to the intermittent driving mechanism and lamp tovpermit adjustment thereof, and to` permit Ychanging the lm Vwhendesired. The plate 72 'preferably abuts the outer edge of the frame 24,and a suitable packing 74.- may be interposed between thernto preventlight passing from the lamp to the remaining portion of the housing 9,

thus providinga substantially light-proof chamber 75 for containing thelamp.

Since it is desirable that the exhibition of 'advertisements occur onlywhen the cab is 4occupied by persons who may view the same, the

lamp 32 may be arranged to be extinguished-f whenever the cab is vacantor not in service, and also while lthe cab is waiting, even though thecab is 'in the service of a patron during such waiting period. For thisreason, we have illustrated the circuit 'for the lamp 32 in Figure '7, j

as extending from the usual battery 76, which supplies current to thelights and to the motor 'of the cab by way of a circuit-extendingthrough conductor 77, ignition switch 78, to ajunction itc vpoint 79,whence one branch 80 extends to the i:

ignition system of the cab, while the other branch extendsY by way'of-conductor 81 to a iiagjoperated switch `82 (to be described in detailhere,- inafter), and thence through conductor 83, cam operated switch71, conductor 84, nlamp 32, and

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conductor 85, to ground at 86, it being understood that one terminal ofthe battery 76 is grounded as at 87 after the practice of grounding theelectrical systems of automobiles now in general use.

It will thus be observed that during any such periods the cab is waitingwith the engine stopped, as by turning off the ignition switch 78, nocurrent will be supplied to the lamp 37.

By referring particularly to Figures 1 and 6, it will be observed thatthe flag operated switch 82 comprises a suitable housing 88 to which issecured a pair of contact members 89 and 90 arranged to be bridged by acontact piece 91 secured to and movable with a rod or bar 92 arranged toreciprocate through the housing 88. The housing 88 is illustrated asbeing secured to a relatively thin mounting plate 93 which is arrangedto be interposed between the bearing flange 94 constituting the bearingfor the ag shaft 95 of the usual cab meter construction upon which ismounted the in or out service flag 96 operated by the taxi driverwhenever his cab is placed in service or is taken out of service.

Thus, the switch 82 may be mounted upon the usual taxi meterconstruction by removing the flag 96 and flange 94, placing the plate 93upon the shaft 95 and replacing the flange 94 at the flag 96.

It will be observed that a portion of the hub 97 of the flag 96 is cutaway as at 98 to form a flattened surface thereon, the flattened surfacebeing arranged at any suitable position such that when the cab is vacantand the flag in the proper position, the normal thickness of material ofthe hub 97 will be presented to the rod or bar 92 to hold the contactpiece 91 out of engagement with the contacts 89 and 90, while when theflag is moved to indicate that the cab is in service and (as is usual)to start the operation of the fare registering mechanism of the meter,the flattened surface 98 will be presented to the bar 92 permitting thebar 92 to move upwardly under the influence of a compression spring 99to thus bring the contact piece into engagement with its contacts.Therefore, the lamp 32 will not be lighted unless the cab is in servicewhich usually means there is a passenger in the cab to View theadvertisements which may be exhibited. It will be observed that weprovide a device for automatically exhibiting a changeable series ofadvertisements during the normal operation of the cab whenever apassenger is within the cab, but which automatically cuts out the effectof the operation of the exhibitor when there is no passenger within thecab to view the same.

The flag-operated switch 82 may also be employed for operating orcontrolling an independent driving means 110 for the nlm-feedingmechanism, if it is desired to drive this mechanism independent of themovement of the vehicle.

By referring to Figure 7, it will be observed that an independentdriving means 110 may comprise an electric motor having a eld winding111, and an armature 112 connected in oircuit with the switch 82 so thatthe motor may drive the film-feeding mechanism whenever the flag 96 isin a position to cause operation of the meter elements.

By referring particularly to Figures 8 and 9, it will be observed that amodified form of power take-off device 48a is illustrated as comprisinga housing 49a, a top plate 51a, and a bottom plate 50a, constituting themounting for spur gears 100,

101, and 102. The top plate 51a is illustrated as having an extendingportion 103 thereof, arranged to be secured immediately between thebottom of the meter 5 and the normal ange 56 which connects the taximeter drive 8 to the bottom of the meter 5. The usual arrangement ofgearing within the taxi meter 5 includes a gear 104 mounted upon androtated by the shaft 47 which connects to the detachable connector 46 ofthe taxi meter drive, and the gear 104 meshes with other gears such as105, arranged to drive the fare registering device of the meter. In thisform of power take-olf device, one of the gears within the meter 5 (suchas the gear 105) is removed and a slot 106 cut in the shaft thereof toreceive the extending tongue 107 of the shaft 108 upon which the gear102 of the power take-off device is secured, it being understood thatthe shaft 108 extends through the plate 51a. Thus, in this modiiication,the power for driving the exhibitor is taken not directly from theexible drive shaft 45, but from one of the intermediately driven gearsof the fare registering device.

By employing the power take-off disclosed in Figures 8 and 9, thedriving mechanism of the exhibitor will not be in operation except whenthe meter is in operation for the purpose of measuring the service ofthe cab. That is, the operation of the flag which sets the meter intooperation will, by reason of the usual connections of the gearing withinthe meter, cause an operation of the gear 105 so that driving power maybe applied to the power take-off gear 102 only when the meter is inoperation, a condition which exists only when there is a person withinthe cab.

By referring to Figure 8, it will be observed that the configuration ofthe housing 49a is such that the shaft 109 for the gear 100 is disposedto the side of the taxi meter construction 5, and is formed of suchconfiguration as will permit the attachment of the short flexible shaft60 to permit driving of the shaft 60 from the power takeoff device.

While we have shown and described the preferred embodiment of ourinvention, we do not wish to be limited to any 0f the details ofconstruction shown or described herein except as defined in the appendedclaims.

We claim:

1. In a device for exhibiting advertising upon a vehicle having a meterfor measuring service of said vehicle, means for driving said meter anda meter control means for controlling the operation of said meter bysaid driving means, a changeable exhibitor including a plurality ofadvertising indicia elements and means for moving said elements tosuccessively exhibit the same; power take-off means for connection withsaid meter driving means for driving said indicia moving means; andmeans for illuminating said indicia, and means opel-ably responsive tothe actuation of said meter control means for controlling saidilluminating means.

2. In a device for exhibiting advertising on a motor driven taxicabhaving a taxi-meter thereon a changeable exhibitor including a pluralityof advertising indicia elements, and means for moving said elements tosuccessively exhibit the same, an electric lamp for said indiciaelements, and a circuit for controlling said lamp, including in seriesrelation the ignition switch for the taxicab motor, and a switchoperable by actuation of the flag of the taxi meter.

WALTER D. HAWK. ROWLAND S. CARTER.

